The University of Brighton’s 2017 Graduate Show

On 2nd June 2017 the University of Brighton’s School of Art and Design opened it’s graduate show to the public. It was also ten years on from BBM completing a major refurbishment and new build project at the Grand Parade Campus and it was great to see the buildings and the courtyard being utilised and enjoyed by all those attending and still looking tip top after its first decade.

In the summer of 2004, BBM were approached by the University of Brighton to act as lead consultant and architects for a major refurbishment and building programme at the Grand Parade Faculty of Arts and Architecture. The aim of the works was to create a new research centre (CETLD) and exhibition space for the school’s 20th Century collection of art and design, as well as the creation of new state of the art I.T. and research resources, a new catering block, offices & student union facilities, in addition to creating a major new ‘Link’ space and an extensive overhaul of the Sallis Benney Theatre. The works are seen as part of a visionary development of the way in which the School accommodates and provides learning services for its students. The project was delivered on budget and on time.

To allow the work to proceed an intricate decanting programme was developed with the University to minimise impact to the various departments during and outside term-time. Phase One works included the creation of a new Student Union Shop, a new I.T. Resources Suite with A.V. editing spaces, new photographic dark rooms, and temporary catering facilities. The Phase II Works included a new build ‘Link Space’ that provides a much needed internal connection between three wings of the campus that allow students to work in an informally arranged space with wireless links to the digital archive and learning resources of the School.

Inspiration for the Link came from Raphael’s ‘School of Athens’, a painting that brought together Aristotle, Plato, and other great philosophers. The dramatic space brings together students, staff and public alike to share knowledge and views and extends the learning space with wireless links to the University’s digital design archive. The Link boasts double height glazing looking onto the courtyard. A canopy and colonnade, reminiscent of a Greek Agora keeps the harshest of the elements at bay and has hugely increased the usage of the courtyard throughout the seasons.

A new Catering Block at the end of the Link houses kitchen and restaurant seating. The existing Sallis Benney Theatre also underwent a major overhaul aimed at turning it from a lecture theatre into a state of the art performance space, making it an even more popular venue for the wider community of Brighton and Hove.

The new works seamlessly extend the original architecture of the campus and have succeeded in creating new public spaces much valued by staff, students and the general public, in turn raising the exposure and interaction of the campuses’ work.

For further details on the works carried out visit our project page here.